The Steel Guitar Forum

Here's something a little different. C7 tuning. No finger picks, just a flat pick I use a couple of times.

Click on the picture to watch the video!

Hi Doug,

Nice job ! Back to the roots...

Does your new lap steel book will be ready for march month ?

Cheers,

Eddie "PYS".

Doug, that little Gibson Century sounds great with a little overdrive. I'm tellin ya, a blues course would be a hit.

I'm tellin ya, a blues course would be a hit

I would love one! I am loving c6th but I can't seem to get much of a blues sound out of it. So I go back to open E for blues stuff. If I could get that sound out of my c6th I would be done with open E.
Nice tone and phrasing.

I second the idea of a "blues based" instructional for C6 tuning. It can be done.

About 2 years ago, Forumite Josh Cho did a 60 second solo version of the Allman Brothers "Statesboro Blues" on his C6 lap steel. Damn, that was scary good.

Hey Doug, nice playin' as always.

Thanks for the kind replies. This C7 tuning is an easy retune from C6 (6-string). Tune string 3 from A up to Bb, and tune string 6 from C down to low G. That string will be a little floppy when tuned down, but it still works okay. So you have a low 5th and 3rd interval on the bottom and a full C7 on the upper strings. This tuning is a "one trick pony", for sure, but it's nice to have when you need it.

E
C
Bb
G
E
G

Eddie, I'm working on the new book/CDs now. I hope to have it done by the end of March. thanks!

Regarding blues/rock on C6... in general, you won't get that thundering low end from C6 that you get from E or D tunings. There's nothing like that low root, 5 power chord on the bottom of those tunings. This C7 tuning I'm using is kind of a "workaround" because it has the low 5th which gives the tuning a little more growl.
This is not to say that C6 is no good for blues and rock. IMO it's awesome for rock & blues scales and licks, minor patterns, major patterns, mostly higher voicings.

Killer, Doug.

In the 8 str. Sierra you own, is that George L. the E-66 pup?

Thanks Rick! my Sierra has the GeorgeL pickup.

Sounds great Doug, having fun trying to work out the C6 blues you posted earlier. Any chance of Tear Drop being on the next book.Thanks - Rich

Thanks Rich, yes, Tear Drop will be in the new book. That song sounds really good on C6!

I spontaneously "discovered" this one yesterday, Doug!
Found your post now, and I wondered why you bring the lowest string so much down.
The root against the 7 has a lot of tension.
Reminds me of songs like I Feel Fine and 19th Nervous Breakdown in the Beatles&Stones age !

Doug I really Liked Kahala Swing!
Joe Elk Central Ohio